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Policy

Michael Arrington: Ripple and XRP Have Been Completely Misunderstood in the Last Decade

Michael Arrington, founder of Arrington Capital, believes Ripple’s business and the wider XRP ecosystem can continue to grow as long as the company follows through on its plans. He made the r

AnonymousCryptoCompass newsroom
October 21, 2026
4 min read
NEWS
Michael Arrington: Ripple and XRP Have Been Completely Misunderstood in the Last Decade
CryptoCompass editorial visual for policy coverage.

Michael Arrington, founder of Arrington Capital, believes Ripple’s business and the wider XRP ecosystem can continue to grow as long as the company follows through on its plans. He made the remarks while reflecting on Ripple’s development over the past decade.

Crypto enthusiast Archie shared a clip of the interview from xrp.org, in which Arrington discussed his early investment in XRP, Ripple’s acquisitions, and the need for stronger infrastructure to support institutional participation in cryptocurrency markets.

He also explained why he believes the company’s work with stablecoins and institutional financial services could bring more businesses into the ecosystem.

Arrington Recalls Buying XRP In 2017

Arrington entered the cryptocurrency market during the 2017 initial coin offering (ICO) boom. He recalled how hundreds of projects attracted investors at the time, although many eventually failed.

He said he was running a traditional Silicon Valley venture fund before deciding to focus on cryptocurrency full-time. Arrington also revealed that he first bought XRP in 2017, when it traded between $0.03 and $0.05.

Looking back, he rejected the description of XRP as merely a corporate or banking coin. He believes the market has misunderstood both Ripple and XRP and credited Chris Larsen’s early vision, along with Brad Garlinghouse’s leadership, for advancing the company’s plans.

Arrington also distinguished Ripple from other cryptocurrency projects, noting that the company has pursued its own approach through business expansion and product development.

Ripple Prime Could Help Fill a Gap in Crypto Markets

Arrington pointed to Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road, now known as Ripple Prime, as an example of the company’s strategy. He described prime brokerage as a service that traditional financial markets already understand but cryptocurrency markets have struggled to provide effectively.

Institutional investors need reliable systems for trading, custody, compliance, and managing their market activities. Arrington said existing crypto infrastructure still falls short of what many hedge funds require.

He believes Ripple can address some of these shortcomings by developing new products and acquiring businesses that provide services institutions need. He also described prime brokerage as an important part of the infrastructure that the cryptocurrency industry lacks.

Stablecoins Could Bring More Startups to the Ecosystem

Arrington also discussed Ripple’s stablecoin initiatives, saying they could encourage more startups to build within the ecosystem. As new businesses develop products and services, he expects Arrington Capital to have opportunities to invest in that growth.

He acknowledged that predicting how an industry will develop is difficult. However, he believes Ripple’s ability to remain focused on its objectives and follow through on its plans will determine the company’s long-term success.

Archie emphasized Arrington’s final point in the post, quoting his statement that there is “no upper limit” to the ecosystem’s value.

Arrington was discussing the overall business opportunity surrounding Ripple, rather than predicting a specific XRP price. His outlook depends on the company’s execution and the growth of services built around its operations. How much that growth benefits XRP will also depend on the role the asset plays in those services.

Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.

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